Neighbors and frequent visitors to LoHi are probably familiar with the Denver Book Binding Company building on the corner of 17th and Erie; it has been there since 1962, long before scenesters slapped the moniker on the hillside neighborhood. The historic book-binding business (operating continuously in Denver since 1929) moved out of the spot, which has been vacant since this time last year. But now it looks like a new tenant -- another addition to the already packed LoHi bar and restaurant scene -- will be moving in. Upward Projects, operators of four wine bars in the Phoenix area, has applied for a liquor license (under the name Short Cast, LLC) as a major step toward opening Postino LoHi.

The company, owned by Craig and Kris DeMarco and Lauren and Wyatt Bailey, also operates a number of other restaurants in and around Phoenix, including a pizza place, a taco bar, and an ice cream shop, focusing on small and historic neighborhoods. This will be the group's first venture outside of Arizona, and while no time frame has been set for opening, the building will likely require considerable improvement before the first glass can be poured.

Artists renderings of the what the site could look like once open -- with the building divided into three separate retail spaces collectively labeled "LoHi Garden" -- can be seen here.